Monday, November 28, 2011

Bad Modem...Bad!


Two weeks ago I started getting a multitude of disconnects to the internet (about 20 every hour). Talking with the CenturyLink technician, (using that title loosely). He tried to sell me the latest modem/router, of course I'm not going to buy another Craptiontec device. I doubted he had any knowledge of what was really going on. The day before, I had connected my computer directly to the modem and the internet, it worked just fine (as per Xmission technician). I wrongly assumed the old D-Link was the problem. The router was replaced with a Netgear N750 maximum performance, dual band, gigabit, superduper, over achieving internet device (model wndr4000). After installation I was once again suffering from the same disconnects. After much meditation and soul surfing geekdom, I found out that both modem and router thought that they were in charge, they both were issuing out IP addresses to all the computers on the system. The M1000 modem can be used as a crappy router and it thought that it was the boss, but the cool super router was to be my choice for the boss. Taking a pencil, tapping the modem and threatening, “I will disconnect you and throw you out in the street so that cars can turn you into a hundred pieces...you're not in charge!” Not giving up, I then hooked up the modem directly to my computer and using a paper clip I reset the modem to default through the tiny hole on the back (about 15 seconds). Once it finished its dancing routine of flashing lights, I went to its IP address 192.168.0.1, went to advanced setup only, DHCP settings and turned them off, then saved. Still in advanced settings, I then went to WAN settings, chose “RFC 1483 Transparent Bridging” then saved it. I unplugged the modem waiting thirty seconds (while waiting I connected my computer back into the router and also turned off the router (yes, it has an off/on button...cool). When the modem finished its chicken dance, I turned on the router. When it all was done I was a little bit worried because the amber internet light was still on the router. I disconnected my etherlink at my computer and restarted, up came the green light...yahoo (Trade mark infringement?)...no more disconnects for the last 20 hours. 
Level me up geekdom!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Asteroid YU-55 Spotted

Last night I thought that I could try to get a glimpse of the near earth asteroid YU-55. First I downloaded the program Stellarium and determined the approximate location of the asteroid, in the lower corner of the constellation Pegasus, almost in a straight line with Jupiter and the moon just slightly lower. So I proceeded outside in a frosty 30 degree temperature. Right off, I could see it was going to be difficult, the moon was bright and washing out almost all the stars in the region. I lined up Jupiter with the moon and determined the area where I thought it would be, nothing not even the stars in the constellation Pegasus were showing. Not giving up despite sniffling and shivering I continued to search. Then suddenly...I sited it, moving fast towards the East. What a great experience I will always remember…only why did it have a red light on it and a flashing white light?